Brisbane sets its sights on Brazilian students

Brisbane is leading a delegation of eight universities, English-language colleges and vocational education and training providers to Brazil this week to showcase the city to students looking for an education sea change.

Currently underway, the week-long mission travels to several events and expos to raise Brisbane’s profile as a study destination and is expected to have engaged around 3,000 potential students by the end of the weekend.

A social media campaign aligned with the mission to Brazil has already reached nearly 480,000 potential students.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it was vital the city continue to be showcased as a world-class place to live and study.

“International students help make all the students studying in our city global citizens through exposure to a wide variety of cultures from across the globe,” Cr Schrinner.

“Overall, international education contributes more than $3 billion to our city’s economy and the number of international student enrolments in Brisbane grew by 10 per cent in 2018.

“Brazil is our third-largest source market for high school, undergraduate students and students keen to learn English and it’s vital we are active in this market to showcase Brisbane as an ideal destination to visit and study,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Study Brisbane has engaged three Brazilian International Student Ambassadors to share their experiences on social media to their friends and peers back home, designed to raise awareness of our city as a great place to study to potential students.

“Brisbane now welcomes more than 95,000 students from 160 countries, who enjoy our internationally-recognised universities, educational institutions, thriving innovation and research hubs alongside an enviable outdoor lifestyle.

“We have one of the most culturally-diverse student populations in Australia with our numbers coming from a wide range of countries rather than from just a few of the traditionally-strong markets.”

The trade mission is part of a Study Brisbane strategy which has seen delegations travel to Colombia and Japan earlier this year with more to land in Indonesia and China before Christmas.

The mission includes Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, Griffith University, JMC Academy, TAFE QLD, Central Queensland University, IES College and UQ’s Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education.

Brisbane, Australia, is a thriving multicultural city and successful host of the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit. A global hub in scientific innovation, mining and resources, technology, education, meetings and incentives and cultural attractions, Brisbane is committed to strengthening international trade and commerce.